John Doe

John Doe has been busy. He was in the HBO series Carnivàle and has played a bunch of live shows with Neko Case, who joins him on his fifth album with Dave Alvin, Grant Lee Philips, Kristin Hersh and his old partner Exene Cervenka. The songs are romantic, pastoral etchings of Americana set to moody backdrops.

On his fifth solo album, John Doe proves again that this punk legend/journeyman actor can
still make great music. Doe has been mining a vein of stripped-down folk rock for years, but
his melodies are sharper this time out, and his tunes are more accessible. Songs such as the
elegant lament "Twin Brother" showcase Doe's world-weary baritone and his gift for
lonesome lyrics. "Hwy. 5," co-written with Exene Cervenka, features Neko Case... More >